Explanation of the Influential Components upon the Physical Dimension of Promotion of the Combat Capability of the Air Defense of the I.R. of Iran to Deal with Future Air Threats

Considering the nature of military threats, the results of recent wars in the West Asia, the growing improvement of military technologies, particularly the features of future air threats, including the US Air Force 2025 and 2035 plans, the necessity of paying scientific and careful attention to the air defense has been made inevitable. Meanwhile, advancement of the air defense combat capability in order to deal with these threats is of prime importance. Combat power is composed three physical, non-physical and superiority dimensions. Besides the undeniable role of non-physical and superiority dimensions in combat power, according to the researcher, the physical dimension also plays a significant role in the combat power of the Armed Forces, including air defense. The aim of this study was to identify and explain the most significant constituents and effective indicators of the physical dimension of promoting the combat capability of air defense to deal with future air threats. This applied-developmental study employed a mixed and case-contextual methodology to gather the data. At first, the future air threats affecting the air defense mission were considered and then the theories of combat power were taken into account. In comparative studies, the most significant components of air defense of six foreign countries were studied. In order to enrich the study further, a number of professionals in the field of air defense were interviewed. The result of this study is the explanation and identification of 6 components with 40 influential indicators regarding the physical dimension of promoting the combat power of air defense.